Cricket youth

Press, 20 October 1976, Page 18

Cricket youth

Linwood High School, Shirley Boys’ High School and St Andrew’s College became early leaders of the schools’ premier grade when they had outright wins in the first round.

They each earned 12 points, and St Thomas’s College earned four points for its first innings win against Burnside High School. No bonus points are awarded in the grade, emphasis instead being placed on the securing of outright wins. At Linwood, G. Kench top-scored for the day and was the first batsman to hit a century. In the session before lunch, he was never in trouble; his innings lasted only 104 min, and included four sixes. This allowed plenty of time for his team to bowl out Xavier College. Kench is vice-captain of the New Zealand schoolboys’ team soon to visit Australia.

In the same match, D. Gillespie ended the day with match bowling figures of 12 wickets for 40 runs. He completely routed Xavier with his sharp deliveries. D. McLaughlan carried Shirley to its comfortable win over St. Bede’s. In both visits to the wicket, he quickly took command of the bowling and Virtually played the game single-handed. He opened the innings and is a very hard hitter of the ball. For St Bede’s, R. Campbell bowled with consistency for a spell of 20 overs for

his very good figures. The lune h-time declaration paved the way for an afternoon’s interesting cricket ending with Shirley well in front. After a poor first innings last week, Cashmere batted steadily for a good total of 185. It took St Andrew’s College till 4.30 p.m. to dismiss it, then face the challenge of a run-a-minute to win the match in the second last over. G. Lapsley batted well for Cashmere and the success of St Andrew’s pivoted on the all-round performance of A. Laurent and the batting of M. Harris and G. Clarke.

Burnside batted nearly all day trying to overhaul the first innings of 216 of St Thomas’s College. It was a very slow process on a wicket that was rather dull, offering no help to the bowlers and demanding the batsmen to play correct shots for their runs. In a spell of 30 overs, J. Boyle took seven for 74 with his legspinners, well supported by steady bowling from his teammates. D. King, captain of the Burnside team, top-scored after a long stay at the crease and most other batsmen made a worthy contribution to the total. Results:—

Linwood High School 152 and 208 (G. Kench 100, R. Winkleman 26, R. Meaclen 26: T. Rhodes 5/95) beat Xavier College

94 and 50 (D. Gillespie 7/20). St Bede’s College 144 and 103 (R. Campbell 35; A. Booth 4/29). lost to Shirley Boys’ High School 150/9 deck (D. McLaughlan 63, G. Andrell 20; R. Campbell 7/60), and 9/90 (McLaughlan 79 not out.) Cashmere High School 42 and 185 (G. Lapsley 50, G- Clarke 31, A. Laurent 22; B. Finlayson 3/21) lost to St Andrew’s College 141/9 deck and 87/4. (C. Hansen 29, M. Harris 20 not out; Laurent 3/18). St Thomas’s College 216 beat Burnside High School 193 (D. King 36, B. Nicholson 32, G. Black 27, P. French 23; J. Boyle 7/74) on the first innings.